Your child has cystic fibrosis and the one thing you may ask yourself is this; "Why them?" Well, this can be answered.
This disorders inheritance is autosomal recessive. This is when both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. Each parent is a carrier of one copy, but don's show any signs or symptoms of this condition.
It is inherited like any other disorder through genes or DNA. In order for the child to show symptoms of cystic fibrosis is must have two copies of the defective CF gene (one from each parent).
According to Genzyme scientists, involved in the work of diagnosis and treatment for cystic fibrosis, it its primary cause may by an error in the processing of the CFTR (the protein at the heart of cystic fibrosis)
The CFTR protein is a channel for chlorine cells to get through.
When the protein is affected there is sometimes an extra amount of salt gets through the channel and secretions are extra dehydrated.
One other thing that may be on your mind is; "what are my chances of having another child with this disorder?"
Since both parents need to each be carrying one defective gene the child will have a 25% chance of inheriting both defective copies and having risk of cystic fibrosis.
But, there is also a 50% chance that they will inherit only one defective copy and just being a carrier of that gene to be passed on to future generations. There is also a 25% chance that the child will neither have nor carry this gene.
The following video further explains the why and chances of this disorder:
- This disorders inheritance is autosomal recessive. This is when both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. Each parent is a carrier of one copy, but don's show any signs or symptoms of this condition.
- It is inherited like any other disorder through genes or DNA. In order for the child to show symptoms of cystic fibrosis is must have two copies of the defective CF gene (one from each parent).
- According to Genzyme scientists, involved in the work of diagnosis and treatment for cystic fibrosis, it its primary cause may by an error in the processing of the CFTR (the protein at the heart of cystic fibrosis)
- The CFTR protein is a channel for chlorine cells to get through.
- When the protein is affected there is sometimes an extra amount of salt gets through the channel and secretions are extra dehydrated.
One other thing that may be on your mind is; "what are my chances of having another child with this disorder?"- Since both parents need to each be carrying one defective gene the child will have a 25% chance of inheriting both defective copies and having risk of cystic fibrosis.
- But, there is also a 50% chance that they will inherit only one defective copy and just being a carrier of that gene to be passed on to future generations. There is also a 25% chance that the child will neither have nor carry this gene.
The following video further explains the why and chances of this disorder: